Due to delays in team travel the kick-off times for both matches has been rescheduled, with Cook Islands vs. Fiji now scheduled to start at 5pm rather than 2.30pm, and Papua New Guinea vs. Vanuatu being moved from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Cook Islands have some history in the competition, having competed at the last edition held in Auckland in 2012, and can expect some vocal home support.
Coach Tuka Tisam admits his side are feeling plenty of nerves ahead of their opening game in front of friends and family at the CIFA Academy in Matavera, Rarotonga.
“We have been talking about it, just saying that it’s another game like they have played before” Tisam says.
“We need to get them in that mind-set and put that pressure out of their heads so we can do what we need to do.
“I am guessing Fiji will be very physical, they are always tough matches. But the girls are looking forward to it and I think there will be a decent crowd supporting them too.
“There are lots of Fijians living here in Rarotonga as well, so the atmosphere will be really good for this game.”
Fiji meanwhile join Samoa and Vanuatu in playing their first OFC U-17 Women’s Championship.
With no prior international experience in their squad coach Yogendra Dutt knows they will be up against it in their first match.
“We will have to face our lack of experience, but everything has to start like this, and this will help us be better at future tournaments,” Dutt says.
“We will do our best in every game we play, that is all we can do at present.
“I think Cook Islands will be fired up, they are the hosts and will be pumped up.”
In the late match Papua New Guinea take on Vanuatu under floodlights at the CIFA Academy.
Both sides had their arrival in Rarotonga delayed, but will be keen to make a positive start to the competition.
Vanuatu coach Joel Rarua says despite the pre-tournament distractions his team will be ready to go.
“We had some challenges away from the field with the travel, but we need to keep focussed and remember what the objective is here,” Rarua says.
“The travel was a bit longer than we planned and the girls are a bit tired, but we will fix that and get ourselves ready.
“We respect PNG because their women’s football development has been going well, they are one of the strongest women’s football countries in the region and will be very hard to beat.”
Additional Information:
Cook Islands vs. Fiji
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Thursday 14 January 2016
Kick-off: 5pm (local)
COKvFIJ U17W
Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Jeffrey SOLODIA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Bernard MUTUKERA (SOL)
Fourth Official: Nelson SOGO (SOL)
Cook Islands
Vital Statistics: The Cook Islands finished third at the last OFC U-17 Women’s Championship in 2012.
The Players: Not a lot is known about this side, but watch for Moeroa Harmon to have an impact in the middle of the park.
Cook Islands: 1. Mata EMMANUEL (GK), 20. Dora IRIPA (GK), 2. Nicole MARURAI, 3. Issy MANA, 4. Amber MATEARIKI, 5. Lyric DAVISON, 6. Moeroa HARMON, 7. Geneva MILES, 8. Piri MURARE, 9. Ngame TARINGA, 10. Tehinnah TATUAVA, 11. Tina AREAI, 12. Josephine KURAIA, 13. Kayleena KERMODE, 14. Ngapare NOOVAO, 15. Nathalia VIKING, 17. Susan WILLIAMS, 18. Daimzel RONGOKEA, 19. Ngarangi MAPU.
Coach: Tuka TISAM (COK)
Fiji
Vital Statistics: None of the Fiji squad have played at international level before, making them among the least-experienced sides at the 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship.
The Players: The effort of the entire backline will be crucial in this first encounter, given there are bound to be some nerves within the Fiji team as they take on the host nation.
Fiji: 19. Francine LOCKINGTON (GK), 20. Laite SALAMEI (GK), 2. Cecelia NAINIMA, 3. Miliana NARUKU, 5. Sereima NAVUGA, 6. Bulou NAUGAVULE, 7. Laca TIKOSAYA, 8. Maca Ralagi 9. Silina Qarawaqa, 10. Aliza Hussein, 11. Louisa Simmons, 12. Ledua Senisea, 13. Titilia Waqabaca, 14. Mere Ciria, 15. Koleta Likuculacula, 16. Cema Nasau, 17. Adi Bakaniceva, 18. Harina Erasito.
Coach: Yogendra DUTT (FIJ)
Papua New Guinea vs. Vanuatu
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Thursday 14 January 2016
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local)
PNGvVAN U17W
Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Lata KAUMATULE (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria TAMALELAGI (SAM)
Fourth Official: Tapaita LELENGA (TGA)
Papua New Guinea
Vital Statistics: Vital Statistics: Having competed at the only two previous editions of the tournament – achieving a third and second place finish – Papua New Guinea are the second-most successful side in the history of this competition.
The Players: Belinda Giada is a tough defender who reads the game well. She boasts international experience after playing at the XV Pacific Games last year.
Papua New Guinea: 1. Faith KASIRAY (GK), 20. Veronica VANUA (GK), 2. Belinda GIADA, 3. Margaret JOSEPH, 4. Alison PAULIAS, 5. Robertlynn KIG, 6. Francisca MANI, 7. Natasha SAGEM, 8. Loretta YAGUM, 9. Selina UNAMBA, 10. Isabella NATERA, 11. Mercedes HAPOTO, 12. Anna SOS, 13.Serah TAMBOL, 14. Melissa JOFARI, 15. Anna MALARA, 16. Anila ROBERT, 17. Bridgit PAIME, 18. Dorothy WAMILAT, 19. Ewin NANO.
Coach: Margaret AKA (PNG)
Vanuatu
Vital Statistics: Vanuatu are coached by Joel Rarua, who last October guided the nation’s U-20 side to fourth position at the 2015 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship.
The Players: Emilia Taravaki has represented Vanuatu at U-20 level, and is a midfielder with plenty of ability going forward. Watch for her impact in attack.
Vanuatu: 1. Ruth TATE (GK), 2. Lilian SAWON, 3. Lily NIHAMBAT, 4. Shania SIRI, 5. Dorolyn SAMSON, 6. Leiwia TANGARASE, 7. Emilia TARAVAKI, 8. Cynthia NGWELE, 9. Melissa BANI, 10. Annie GERE, 12. Vaina BONG, 13. Hannah TAIWIA, 14. Tisha RONNY, 15. Keren COULON, 16. Delphine KALMET, 17. Leimata SIMON, 18. Melinda FRED, 21. Vanessa KILETIA.
Coach: Joel RARUA (VAN)